St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-05-28
MISSIONARY LIFE.
HI Romance illustrated by the Success q
Faithful Young Preoehor.

H Romance illustrated by the Success q
Feathfal Young PreaeAee.
Romance il not all confined to the
past. or to strange countries. Some Of
the most peculiar experiences possible
to man have been those Of missionaries
to the American Indians. so recently
that the workers who survived the
hardships and dangers Of those days
are still in the prime Of their useful.
ness. One Of these missionaries took
up his work when he was just past his
seminary days. and was assigned to .
tribe Of Sioux who were peculiarly wild.
and singularly welded to their savage
customs. Fresh from his studies, and
full of hope and zeal. the young mis-
sionary proceeded on his way. On
quitting the fort which was nearest his
post Of duty, the gates of the stockade
were opened to let him depart by men
who bade him goodbye as they might
bid adieu to one already dead. But the
missionary drove his wagon ten miles
over the wild country. and began to
build his house in the very center of ono
OF the Sioux camps. Shortly an Indian,
moved by some inexplicable feeling. Of.
fered to help him. He raised . little
hut made some furniture. stuffed q
mattress. and prepared to do his own
cooking. all these things being quite
new work for him. Meanwhile, he was
IN object of curiosity to these new
neighbors. who might, At any moment,
be moved to bury . tomahawk in his
brain.
He had no books. but only stenciled
charts Of letters which he made himself,
and with these he set up school. He
had. of course. made himself acquainted
with the Sioux dialect, and he contrived.
BY little gifts. to gather in children and
grown people. They liked the hymns
and learned them rapidly. and some
took an interest in reading; but it was
not uncommon for . number Of wild
savages 10 rush in and clear the school
out.
However. the missionary made
friends. and at last built = more sub
stantial wooden structure. with bed
rooms for scholars who should dwell
in the ho1sA and about this time mar
ried wife who came bravely out from
her Eastern homo to help him.
If you fancy that the place was qmes
and solitary all this while. you are mis-
taken. In their camp-life the Sioux were
seldom quiet. except when sleeping.
Night and day there was noise. tumult.
agitation. and the missionary worked as
carpenter and painter. school-teacher
and preacher through it all.
Other white men and women were
added to the mission. A boarding.
school was under way. but when clothed
in Christian fashion. provided with
books. and apparently we'll satisfied
with their condition, some outside in-
duence would be brought to bear upon
the scholars. and away they would 60.
books and clothes and al. The great
est prejudice was against teaching
the girls any thing. and when |
the scruples Of q few Of them were
overcome. others resented it. At ono
lime an attack was made upon the mis- |
sion. two of the teachers murdered. and
the missionary and his wife were
obliged to dee. with their baby. for |
heir lives. They remained for some
limo in the shelter of the fort. but at |
last returned to the mission. Tho
school was resumed. and this time some |
Did and venersted chiefs took part with
the missionary. One saved him from
being murdered by an old squaw. and
another helped him to drive forth q
number of the scum Of the camp who
we're at their old work Of clearing out
The school. When the Indians became
90 many of them came to dine
with the missionary 1t once that tho
provisions Of the mission were pre-
devoured. Indians expect
unlimited hospitality from all friends.
Fidally, the missionary and his as.
,istants became great favorites amongst
The Indians. who were willing at last to
be taught to farm; and now well-tilled
fields, good log houses, fences, barns.
,tc., are seen in every direction. Many
II the Sioux read and write, and the
men have generally given up polygamy.
They 60 to church, send their children
o school. and for the most part behave
veil in the neighborhood Of the mission.
There are missions, however. where
ife is as exciting and full Of danger a.
t was in the beginning at the one we
AVE described. The American Indian
5. no doubt, the most difficult savage
,nder the sun to civilize: r Ledger
Chinese 6arbarity.
The Pekin courts lately sentenced .
'oung man to the lingering death of .
slices who had murdered his
'rother by blood, but his cousin by
for unnatural cruelty. The
'rother had usurped his place in the
1900 - L.. a1ov><oA vnoHhnr auI Gu.n- | 4,